Poker is a card game played by two or more players. It is a game of chance but also relies heavily on skill. Those who are good at poker usually have a high winning percentage. Whether you want to play poker for fun or make a living, there are some things that you should know about this popular game.

The game is played with a standard 52-card English deck and can be played by two to seven players. It may be played with or without jokers. It is a game of strategy, calculation and luck, and it can be very frustrating for those who are not good at it.

It is recommended that beginners start out by playing low stakes. This way, they can gain experience and practice their skills before moving on to higher-stakes games. This will help them avoid making bad decisions that can cost them a lot of money.

Another thing that novices should do is to learn how to read other players and their tells. Tells can include fiddling with chips, a twitch in the eyes, or betting behavior. For example, a player who typically calls but suddenly makes a huge raise is probably holding a monster hand.

It is also important to know how hands are ranked in poker. A hand’s value is determined by its rank and the number of cards it contains. The highest-ranking cards are the aces, kings, queens, and jacks.